Share this page

Follow Us & Share

Newsletter

Canary Islands

Travelling to the Canary islands

Language

Canary Islands has Spanish as its official languages. Although, each island speaks with a slightly different accent. English is highly spoken and understood along the islands due to its touristic orientation. But don't worry, our Surfinn staff is quite diversified and fluent in many languages!

Climate

We can consider that Canary Islands have an eternal springtime. Temperatures between the seasons vary only some 6º C, and the monthly islands average temperatures are from 18º to 24º C (64,4 and 75,2ºF).

Due to the islands geographical location, some 4º from the tropic of cancer and very close to the African coast, the islands' climate is subtropical.

The surprising landscape, with high mountains covered by snow very close to the beaches, offer you a beautiful landscape. No more than that (no cold guaranteed!). Water temperature varies from 22º C in summer to 19º C in winter. Occasionally, in La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria you may find tropical rains from time to time, while Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are very dry and guarantee sunshine almost without interruption.

Cuisine

Canarian cuisine is a mix between Spanish, Latin and African cultures. Most of Canarian cuisine is a variety of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish, generally light meals, easier to digest in a warm climate. Meat is usually consumed as a part of stews or as steaks.

The local fish is quite good. You will find a wide variety of international recipes of fish and seafood, too. Two popular fish dishes from Tenerife are Caldereta, a meal with tomatoes, goat meat and potatoes and the Sancocho Canario, a salted fish, usually white, in a “mojo” sauce.

Time

Local time is GMT.

Electricity

Health

There are no health risks attached to travel to Canary Islands. Health facilities are good and reciprocal health agreements exist with most European countries, including the UK, whose citizens can receive low-cost emergency care at state hospitals. It is advisable that travellers obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before travel. Dental care and repatriation costs are not covered under this agreement, and medical insurance is therefore advised.

Safety

Safety is not a problem for travel in Canary Islands but there is a rising incidence of petty theft and pick pocketing in crowded tourist areas, so reasonable care should be taken.

Duty Free

Tax on luxury products and alcohol and tobacco is very low compared to most European countries (including Spain). For this, the Canary Islands aren't seen as a normal part of the European Union so you can bring back only certain amounts of these goods.

When travelling from a non-EU country (including the Canary Islands, the Channel islands and Gibraltar) you can bring the following into the European Union for your own use without paying EU tax or duty:

200 cigarettes; or 100 cigarillos; or 50 cigars; or 250g of tobacco;

60cc of perfume;

2 litres of still table wine;

250cc of eau de toilette;

1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs over 22% volume; or 2 litres of fortified wine*, sparkling wine or other liqueurs *such as port or sherry; and

£145 worth of all other goods including gifts and souvenirs.

If you have any more than these allowances you must declare the goods. If you do not, you are breaking the law and may be prosecuted.

Entry requirements - Visas

The Schengen Treaty is fully applied in Canary Islands. For EU countries or those under the Schengen Treaty, you may remain in Canary Islands as a tourist for a period not exceeding three months. It is a legal requirement for foreigners to show some form of identification on request.

You need a valid passport or identity document for entry to and exit from Canary Islands. There is no minimum passport/document validity requirement but you should ensure that it is valid for the proposed period of your stay.

For other nationalities, procedures and required documents change according to different protocols established with those countries. Please check it in your country before travelling.

A minor under the age of 18 travelling to Canary Islands must either:

be accompanied by a parent or guardian,

carry a letter of authorisation to travel from a parent or guardian. The letter should name the adult responsible for the minor during his/her stay.

How to get there

You can get to Canary Islands by plane, or ferry. Many flight companies, including low-cost, operate more than one daily flight to Canary Islands. There are plenty direct flights from almost all countries in Europe and overseas to many airports all across Canary Islands. All Surfinn Surf Camps are located in no more than 1 hour from the closest airport.

The last way from the airport/station to the surf camp can be done by bus, taxi or transfer. We always send to costumers all customized info about “how to get there” between the arrival point and the selected surf camp. Surfinn transfers must be booked in advance.

There are a few ferry connections from mainland Spain (from Cadiz port) or Portugal (from Portimao port).

Communications

The international access code for Canary Islands is +34, just like Spain. There are no area or city codes required. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Canary Islands is well covered by all modern mobile phone networks. Internet cafes are available in most towns and resorts.